Mayor Michael Bloomberg should have never been put in charge of the public school system, according to a local politician.
“We made a big boo−boo when we gave the mayor complete unchecked control,” state Assemblymember Nick Perry said at a recent public forum in Canarsie.
Perry contends that the city Department of Education (DOE) often disregards community sentiment when making important decisions about local schools.
For instance, the DOE is now considering opening a new transfer high school, which caters to students who struggled in traditional school settings, in one of two Canarsie school buildings. Neighborhood residents oppose both locations.
“Spread the word around that we have a fight on our hands and we have to let the chancellor know that we are tired of this dictatorship,” Perry told parents.
At the forum, several politicians agreed with Perry.
“Mayoral control needs to cease because of the arrogance of the mayor who feels he can do whatever he wants to do,” said State Senator John Sampson.
Under mayoral control, which is now being reviewed by the state legislature, the city has shut out politicians, according to City Councilmember Lew Fidler.
“The Department of Education usually doesn’t give a hoot how your elected officials feel,” he said.
In fact, it was the massive community opposition — about 700 people strong — that recently nixed a plan to open a Hebrew−themed charter school in Marine Park Junior High School.
